And ‘Project Runway’s Season 8 Winner Is…

What the what what?! Could this be one of the biggest upsets in ‘Project Runway‘ history? Although Mondo Guerra was arguably the fan-favorite to win, it was Gretchen Jones—the controversial opinionated designer with control issues—who ended up beating out both him and Andy South to become this season’s ‘Project Runway’ victor!

“Now I truly, truly feel like I’m supposed to be doing what I’m doing,” said Jones. “It’s the most exciting thing that has ever happened to me.”

So what did the blunt-bang’d designer bring to Fashion Week at Lincoln Center? An easy, breezy trendsetting hippie chick look with eye-catching accessories. Think: Urban Outfitters with a tad more sophistication.

But the win wasn’t without major fisticuffs from the judges, which included Heidi Klum, Michael Kors, Nina Garcia, and guest judge Jessica Simpson. Although they were all in consensus that Andy’s monochromatic Asian-inspired collection lost its edge and creativity, and therefore, took him out of the running, the panel was stubbornly split between Gretchen’s bohemian ready-to-wear pieces and Mondo’s mixed-prints-and-pop oeuvre. Kors and Garcia were vying for Gretchen, arguing she had her finger on the pulse of fashion, while the Kluminator and Simpson were on Team Mondo, saying his sartorial vision was exciting with a WOW factor.

“This was the toughest decision in ‘Project Runway’ history,” said Heidi to the three contestants.

But in the end—despite having a few major design flops during the season, turning her nose to Michael Costello and creating divisiveness within the group, angering Tim Gunn with her control issues, and being considered a backstabbing B-word—the 28-year-old Oregonian fought her way all the way to the top by listening to the judge’s critiques while staying true to her aesthetic.